During Official Test
ELF Renault Clio Cup returnee Andrew Herron ended the opening day of official championship testing at Silverstone in Northamptonshire Tuesday, 24th March, completely satisfied with his pace having posted the fifth fastest time overall – and after using just two new tyres all day.
At the wheel of his silver JHR Developments prepared car, the 20-year-old from Dromore in Co. Down lapped Silverstone’s National Circuit with a best time of 1m 05.371 seconds (90.25mph) during the third of four sessions.
Beginning the day by bedding-in his gearbox and differential during the opening period, Andrew continued to circulate on old tyres in session two and yet still managed to post a time good enough for the top 10 with a lap of 1m 05.986 seconds (89.41mph).
Northern Ireland’s most promising young racing export, who this week confirmed his participation in the 2009 ELF Renault Clio Cup, then elected to take fresh tyres on the front of his car only in the third outing and went on to top the session times with his lap of 1m 05.371 seconds.
Unfortunately for Andrew, no further progress could be made in the last of the day’s runs as, after just four laps, the front suspension wishbone snapped. Nonetheless, the Brian Herron Contracts-backed ace was thoroughly pleased with his day’s work.
“It’s been a good day for us and I’m confident when everyone’s on an equal footing we’ll be right there consistently challenging at the front”, he commented, “We took things steadily this morning and then in the third session we decided to put some new tyres on the front of the car to see what we could do and we were fastest so that was great.
“The wishbone problem in the last session was unfortunate but not a problem as we know where we are and I’m very happy with how everything feels. We’re out on the Grand Prix track tomorrow and we’ll do the same again, just take things easy, find a set-up we’re comfortable with and not be too preoccupied with trying to be fastest.”
Day two of official ELF Renault Clio Cup testing at Silverstone will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, 25th March, on the full Grand Prix Circuit layout.
